Városliget: Heroes' Square and the City Park

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Hősök tere

   Start at Heroes' Square, where Andrássy út ends in a sweep of colonnade. The Millennium column carries the archangel Gabriel; the seven mounted chieftains stand at its base, the kings and statesmen in the curved arcades behind. Stand back at the open end to take in the whole composition before you walk in.

   01

   Hősök tere

   Start at Heroes' Square, where Andrássy út ends in a sweep of colonnade. The Millennium column carries the archangel Gabriel; the seven mounted chieftains stand at its base, the kings and statesmen in the curved arcades behind. Stand back at the open end to take in the whole composition before you walk in.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Museum of Fine Arts

   The grand columned building on the square's north side, holding the old-master collection — the El Grecos are the reason to go in. You don't have to; the portico alone anchors the square. Reopened after a long restoration, so the rooms are at their best.

   02

   Museum of Fine Arts

   The grand columned building on the square's north side, holding the old-master collection — the El Grecos are the reason to go in. You don't have to; the portico alone anchors the square. Reopened after a long restoration, so the rooms are at their best.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Vajdahunyad Castle

   Cross into the park to the castle built for the 1896 millennium exhibition — a deliberate jumble of Romanesque, Gothic and baroque, copying buildings from across old Hungary, meant to last a season and kept because the city loved it. Walk the courtyard; the hooded statue of Anonymous, the medieval chronicler, sits inside.

   03

   Vajdahunyad Castle

   Cross into the park to the castle built for the 1896 millennium exhibition — a deliberate jumble of Romanesque, Gothic and baroque, copying buildings from across old Hungary, meant to last a season and kept because the city loved it. Walk the courtyard; the hooded statue of Anonymous, the medieval chronicler, sits inside.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   The boating lake

   The lake curls round the castle — pedal boats in summer, an ice rink in winter when it freezes over and fills with skaters. Walk the bank for the reflection of the castle in the water. The bridge across gives the best line on it.

   04

   The boating lake

   The lake curls round the castle — pedal boats in summer, an ice rink in winter when it freezes over and fills with skaters. Walk the bank for the reflection of the castle in the water. The bridge across gives the best line on it.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Széchenyi Baths

   The great yellow neo-baroque bath complex in the middle of the park, fed from a thermal spring, its outdoor pools steaming even in winter. The men playing chess on floating boards in the hot pool are the photograph everyone takes. Bring a towel if you mean to go in; book ahead at weekends.

   05

   Széchenyi Baths

   The great yellow neo-baroque bath complex in the middle of the park, fed from a thermal spring, its outdoor pools steaming even in winter. The men playing chess on floating boards in the hot pool are the photograph everyone takes. Bring a towel if you mean to go in; book ahead at weekends.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Vajdahunyad to the Timewheel

   End near the giant Timewheel sandglass at the park's edge by the baths, then the M1 at *Széchenyi fürdő* takes you straight back down Andrássy út. Walk the last stretch under the plane trees; this corner of the park is the calmest.

   06

   Vajdahunyad to the Timewheel

   End near the giant Timewheel sandglass at the park's edge by the baths, then the M1 at *Széchenyi fürdő* takes you straight back down Andrássy út. Walk the last stretch under the plane trees; this corner of the park is the calmest.

   ◉Street View